Neymar Returns to Santos: A Journey Back to the Roots

In a surprising twist, Neymar has announced his return to his first club, Santos, following a highly successful career that has taken him to several top clubs around the world. The Brazilian international, who is still regarded as the world’s most expensive footballer after his €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, expressed his eagerness to sign with Santos Futebol Clube.

The Decision to Return to Santos

With the official announcement expected on Friday, Neymar shared his excitement via a video posted on his social media platform X. He stated: “Hey guys, feels like I’m going back in time.” Neymar revealed that his family and friends had helped him write his thoughts for the video. “I just can’t hold it until tomorrow. My family and my friends already know my decision. I’ll sign the contract with Santos Futebol Clube,” he said.

🤍🖤 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/iuZZ2ggE1J

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) January 30, 2025

In the video, Neymar also expressed his gratitude to his fans worldwide, emphasizing that he has dreamt of this moment for a long time. He reminisced about his departure from Santos nearly 12 years ago, stating, “It seems like it was yesterday. My feelings for the club and fans have never changed.”

The Journey from Santos to St. Germain

Neymar’s journey with Santos began in March 2009 when he made his debut at the age of 17, scoring 136 goals in 225 games before moving to Barcelona in 2013. During his time in Spain, he won two La Liga titles, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup. Sylvain Ripoll’s record-breaking €222 million transfer fee for Neymar in 2017 made him the most expensive player in history.

Neymar’s Recent Career Stints

Neymar’s stint with Paris Saint-Germain was equally rewarding, as he won five league titles there before relocating to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Hilal in August 2023. The midfielder expressed his gratitude for his time in Riyadh, stating, “I lived wonderful moments in Riyadh.” However, he acknowledged the challenges he faced, citing a serious injury that limited his playing time.

“Now I need to play again. Only a club like Santos can provide the love I need to prepare for the coming challenges of the next years,” Neymar clarified. He added, “I hope you’re all with me on this next step of my life. I’m thankful for all your support even in my most difficult moments.”

Other Notable Transfers in Football

Festy Ebosele Returns to Udinese

Republic of Ireland international Festy Ebosele has returned to Udinese after his loan spell at Watford was cut short. Joining Watford in August 2022 for what was initially intended as a season-long stint, Ebosele’s stay was cut short. The 22-year-old wing-back is now back in Italy, with talks of a potential move to Turkish Super Lig side Istanul Basaksehir, who eliminated St Patrick’s Athletic in a summer play-off.

Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran at Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s future in the Premier League might hinge on the contract decisions of their two strikers, Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran. Arsenal is reportedly willing to pay £60 million (€71 million) for Watkins, while Duran is set to join Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite the offers, Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s boss, expressed his desire to keep Watkins. “I don’t want (him to leave). It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad,” Emery asserted.

Duran, on the other hand, was seen saying goodbye to fans following Aston Villa’s 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic. Amidst these developments, Duran is expected to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, representing a significant investment of €77 million for the Saudi club.

Emi Buendia Loans Out to Bayer Leverkusen

Villa midfielder Emi Buendia has loaned out to Bayer Leverkusen for the rest of the season after extending his contract with Aston Villa. Buendia, 28, has not started a match in the Premier League this season but has appeared 12 times from the bench. Faced with limited playing time, Buendia’s loan move to Leverkusen is seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Miguel Almiron Returns to Atlanta United

Newcastle United’s wide-man, Miguel Almiron, has returned to MLS side Atlanta United after six years in the Premier League. Almiron arrived at St James’ Park in a £21 million transfer from Atlanta in January 2019 but has struggled to maintain a consistent position in the squad in recent years.

Leaving Tyneside with 223 appearances and 30 goals under his belt, Almiron’s return to his former club is expected to be subject to an undisclosed deal, rumored to be worth up to £11 million, pending registration.